$100,000 in grants available for water conservation programs and technologies

The Santa Clara Valley Water District has opened a grant application process to award up to $100,000 for testing new and innovative water conservation programs and technologies. The funding is part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, which was approved by voters in 2012.

The primary goal is to identify promising water-saving devices and strategies that can assist the water district in meeting its long-term goal of saving more than 32 billion gallons of water per year by 2030.

Public, private, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Details on the application process are posted at www.valleywater.org/grants.aspx. A pre-proposal workshop will be held at the water district at 5750 Almaden Expressway, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2017. Proposals are due on Nov. 30, 2017.

The maximum grant amount is $50,000 and the minimum grant amount is $5,000. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2020.

This grant cycle is the fifth of several planned rounds of funding for conservation grants.

In addition to this grant funding, the district currently has several other open grant application processes related to creek cleanup, education, outreach, watershed stewardship, trails, open space and wildlife habitat restoration.

During the 15-year life of the Safe, Clean Water Program, the water district expects to distribute nearly $35 million in grants, partnerships and rebate programs, under several different funding categories. Each year, one or more grant programs will have a new funding cycle.